Musical Theatre

Everybody's playing the game / But nobody's rules are the same!

I'm not the type who is embarrassed to admit to liking musical theatre. I've been collecting cast recordings, soundtracks to filmed musicals, scores, video recordings since I was 11 years old. Below is a selection from my freakishly large collection of cast recordings and soundtracks I have on CD or LP.

Avenue Q

Avenue Q. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Lopez and Marx. This musical should have been titled 'Sesame Street Gone Wild!' The gem of this show is John Tartaglia.

 Aspects of Love Aspects of Love. Original London Cast Recording. Lloyd Webber, Black and Hart. Lloyd Webber ought to realise that his shows sound better with a smaller orchestra. This is a good example of how much more intimate and romantic it is with a smaller group of musicians.
Chess Chess. 1984 Concept Album Recording. Andersson, Ulvaeus, and Rice. The boys from ABBA and master lyricist Tim Rice team up to create this magnificent show. Many will recognise the song 'One Night in Bangkok' which was a hit in the 80s for Murray Head. Chicago Chicago. 1997 Broadway Cast Recording. Kander and Ebb. This is the revival which spurred the motion picture and a new interest in musicals for another generation. Joel Grey takes the biscuit for 'Mr Cellophane'.
Company Company. Sondheim and Furth. Original Broadway Cast Recording. I think this show is highly underrated. This is what I'd expect the early 70s to have been like. None of the other recordings of this show matches the talent of this cast, especially that of Elaine Stritch in 'The Ladies Who Lunch'. Evita Evita. Lloyd Webber and Rice. American Premiere Cast Recording. Most of my friends are familiar with the Madonna version of this musical. However, they are truly missing out. Personally, I'd recommend the Original London Cast Recording with Elaine Paige; however, it is only a 'highlights' recording. This version was Patti Lupone's Broadway breakthrough.
Gypsy Gypsy. Styne and Sondheim. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Ethel Merman definitely comes through as maniacal mother trying to relive her life through her daughter in this recording. There is also another good recording of this show with Bette Midler. Hair Hair. MacDermot, Rado and Ragni. Original Broadway Cast Recording. The 1960s: love, peace, freedom and happiness. What more can I say.
Into the Woods Into the Woods. Sondheim. Original Broadway Cast Recording. A great ensemble piece led by Bernadette Peters. A few good fairy tales thrown into a blender. Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus Christ Superstar. 1970 Concept Album. Lloyd Webber and Rice. The last week of Christ's life on earth set to really awesome rock music. This show has been updated a few times, but the original will always be the best. Showstoppers: Yvonne Elliman's 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' and Ian Gillian's 'Gethsemane'.
The King and I The King and I. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Rodgers and Hammerstein. Another show that have spawned a few popular songs: 'Getting to Know You' and 'Shall We Dance'. Yul Brynner reprises his role and Deborah Kerr does very well as Anna. Unfortunately, one of the best songs, 'Shall I Tell You What I Think of You' was cut from the film; however, Kerr's and Nixon's (Kerr's ghost voice) work are preserved in the soundtrack. Les Misérables Les Misérables. Original Paris Cast Recording. Schönberg and Boublil. The show about the uprisings of the 1840s commonly mistaken for the French Revolution. There English recordings are great, but I find it strange for French characters to speak with an East London accent. Here, French works best.
A Little Night Music A Little Night Music. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Sondheim. If you like waltz music, this show is for you. Everything's in some metre of three. Later productions usually miss the mark because they fail to see the beauty in the show's simplicity. Miss Saigon Miss Saigon. Original London Cast Recording. Schönberg and Boublil. Madame Butterfly modernised. One of the most touching shows ever. Showstoppers: Lea Salonga's 'I'd Give My Life for You' and Jonathan Pryce's 'American Dream'.
My Fair Lady My Fair Lady. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Loewe and Lerner. This is the end-all and be-all of My Fair Lady recordings: Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison, and Stanley Holloway. These three also appear in the London Cast Recording; however, the tempo is all wrong. My Fair Lady My Fair Lady. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Loewe and Lerner. André Previn brings some fresh energy to this show. Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway repeat their roles. Marni Nixon dubs for Audrey Hepburn. However, Hepburn does a great job on 'Just You Wait'. I also recommend getting your hands on Hepburn's recording of 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly'.
Oklahoma! Oklahoma!. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Rodgers and Hammerstein. Oklahoma is a big and grand state. This show definitely benefits from having a big and grand orchestra. This film was Shirley Jones's debut. Oliver! Oliver!. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Bart. Johnny Green's orchestrations and fine conducting makes this recording of Oliver! my favourite. Showstopper: Shanni Wallis's version of 'As Long as He Needs Me'.
Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera. Original London Cast Recording. Lloyd Webber, Hart and Stilgoe. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman will always be the prototypes for this show. The 2004 motion picture soundtrack doesn't even come close to matching this recording. Phantom of the Opera (German) Das Phantom der Oper. Deutsche Originalaufnahme. Lloyd Webber, Hart and Stilgoe. For some reason, this show sounds sexier in German. Alexander Goebel gives Michael Crawford the run for his money.
The Producers The Producers. The Broadway Cast Recording. Brooks. The 1960s film with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder was bloody hilarious. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick maintain most of the comedy. Springtime for Hitler and Germany! Rent Rent. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Larson. La Bohème modernised. Fun at times, but dark and depressing.
Rent Rent. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Larson. La Bohème modernised. Fun at times, but dark and depressing. The score has been given a new edge and sounds very fresh. Most of the original Broadway cast members are here. Gem of this recording: Tracie Thoms who plays Joanne. She may be tiny, but she has an incredibly powerful voice. Song and Dance Song and Dance. Original London Cast Recording. Lloyd Webber and Black. Showstopper: Marti Webb's 'Tell Me on a Sunday'.
The Sound of Music The Sound of Music. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Rodgers and Hammerstein. I find it hard to believe that some people have not seen or heard of the The Sound of Music. South Pacific South Pacific. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Rodgers and Hammerstein. Another beautiful and lush Rodgers and Hammerstein musical deserving of beautiful and lush orchestra. Mitzi Gaynor sings superbly in this recording.
Sunday in the Park with George Sunday in the Park with George. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Sondheim. Based on the painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte' by George Seurat. Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters deliver powerful performances. The score is quite impressive. Sunset Blvd. Sunset Boulevard. American Premiere Cast Recording. Lloyd Webber, Black and Hampton. Lloyd Webber's score is refined in this version of the show. In the Original London Cast, Lupone seemed to not understand her role very well. Here, although her singing isn't excellent, Glenn Close captures the madness perfectly.
Sween Todd Sweeney Todd. Original Broadway Cast Recording. Sondheim. Grim, macabre, Victorian horror thriller with a powerful score carried superbly by Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. There is a more complete recording with George Hearn (Len Cariou's replacement during the initial Broadway run) and Patti Lupone which is also quite impressive. West Side Story West Side Story. Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Bernstein and Sondheim. Romeo and Juliet in New York City. Again, Johnny Green works his magic with the orchestra.